On the morning of July 26, a major incident occurred in Kryvyi Rih as a result of a Russian attack. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and local authorities, a strike drone hit the building of the large construction hypermarket 'Epitsentr'. As a result of the impact, fire engulfed a huge area — more than 16,000 square meters.
Scale of the disaster and rescue operations
Alexander Vilkul, Head of the Defense Council of Kryvyi Rih, confirmed that a large commercial facility was hit. The situation on the ground was critical: rescuers needed time to localize the fire. To mitigate the consequences, municipal services, in particular the city water supply company, ensured an uninterrupted water supply, which became a key factor in fighting the fire.
Ivan Vygovskyi, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, noted that the firefighting process is complicated by constant air raids and the real threat of repeated Russian strikes. Therefore, for the safety of personnel, robotic and unmanned equipment was involved in the liquidation of the consequences.
Consequences for the city and economy
The strike on 'Epitsentr' dealt a serious blow not only to infrastructure but also to the life of the city. The shopping center had been operating in Kryvyi Rih for almost 19 years, since December 2007. It was a major employer, providing jobs for about 400 people. Currently, investigators are working at the scene, documenting this latest strike on civilian objects, while psychologists are providing support to the victims.
Context of attacks on July 26
The attack on Kryvyi Rih took place against the backdrop of increased activity by the Russian army across the territory of Ukraine. On the same day, July 26, Kharkiv was struck by a 'Banderol' munition. The impact hit the private sector of the Slobozhanskyi district, where a 40-year-old woman was killed, and nine other people, including two children, were injured. These events highlight the systematic nature of attacks on civilian objects and residential areas.
